Family Visa UAE

What Is a Family Visa in the UAE?

A family visa is a residence visa that a UAE resident obtains for eligible family members. The resident acts as the sponsor, and each family member receives their own residence permit and Emirates ID.

For family visa applications in Dubai, GDRFA Dubai manages the relevant immigration approvals. Most new applications involve an entry permit or an approved in-country status change, followed by residence formalities.

Entry permit: allows the family member to enter the UAE, or change status if already here, and gives them 60 days from entry to complete the residence formalities.
Residence permit: Issued after the required medical fitness, Emirates ID and immigration procedures are completed, depending on the applicant’s age and circumstances.

In other emirates, family visas are processed through ICP.

Family Visa UAE Requirements: Who Can Apply?

UAE residents can sponsor eligible family members if they meet the applicable immigration requirements.

Valid UAE Residence: Active residence permit and Emirates ID.

Minimum Salary: AED 4,000 monthly, or AED 3,000 with accommodation.

Suitable Housing: Registered tenancy contract (Ejari) or property ownership document.

Health Insurance: Valid coverage for sponsored dependants.

Residents can sponsor their husband or wife with an attested marriage certificate, subject to eligibility requirements.

Sons: Up to 25 years old.
Unmarried Daughters: No standard age limit.
Children with Disabilities: No standard age limit.

Additional documents, such as a father’s NOC for mother-sponsored applications, may be required.

Babies born in the UAE need a residence visa within 120 days of birth. A birth certificate and passport are required; no medical fitness test applies.

Parent sponsorship has additional conditions. GDRFA Dubai lists a minimum monthly salary of AED 10,000 for applicable employed sponsors, along with suitable housing and financial documents.

Eligible company owners and partners can sponsor dependents. GDRFA lists a minimum partnership share of AED 48,000 for the relevant Dubai entry permit route. Requirements vary by residence category.

Golden Visa holders can sponsor eligible spouses and children under their long-term residence. Parent sponsorship may also be possible, subject to immigration approval.

Family Visa UAE: Benefits and Important Conditions

A UAE family visa allows eligible dependants to live with their sponsoring family member while accessing essential services. However, certain immigration conditions apply.

Long-Term Family Stay: Eligible family members can reside in the UAE as long as their visas and sponsorship remain valid.
Emirates ID: Sponsored dependants receive an Emirates ID for identification and access to resident services.
Education: Children can enrol in UAE schools and universities, subject to admission requirements.
Healthcare: Family members can access healthcare through their applicable health insurance coverage.
Employment: Sponsored adults may work after obtaining the required work permit from MOHRE or the relevant free zone authority.
Sponsor-Linked Residence: Family visas generally depend on the sponsor’s immigration status. Cancellation may require a visa transfer or other approved arrangement.
Visa Limitations: A family residence visa is different from a short-term visit visa and does not automatically cover siblings or other relatives.

Family Visa Rules to Know Before You Apply

Family Visa

Validity follows the sponsor. A family member’s residence cannot run longer than the sponsor’s own visa.
Complete residence within 60 days. After entering on the family entry permit, the medical test, Emirates ID and residence permit must be completed within 60 days.
Document Attestation. Foreign marriage and birth certificates generally need the applicable official attestations. Certified Arabic translation may also be required. Confirm the process based on where the document was issued.
Medical tests apply from age 18. Family members aged 18 and above must pass a medical fitness test.
Travel Outside the UAE. A standard residence visa may become invalid after more than six consecutive months outside the UAE. Certain residence categories and approved exceptions follow different rules.

UAE Family Visit Visa

A UAE family visit visa is intended for short stays, not long-term residence. GDRFA Dubai offers eligible single-entry visit visas for 30, 60 or 90 days, subject to the applicable relationship, documentation and financial requirements.

Unlike a family residence visa, a visit visa does not provide long-term residency or an Emirates ID.

How to Apply for a Family Visa in UAE: 5 Steps

Check Eligibility

Confirm your salary, housing and relationship documents meet the requirements for each family member.

Prepare and Attest Documents

Get marriage and birth certificates attested and translated, and arrange health insurance.

Entry Permit or Status Change

Apply through GDRFA Dubai’s smart services or an Amer centre. If your family member is already in the UAE, the relevant entry permit and in-country status procedures will depend on their current visa and approval conditions.

Medical Test and Emirates ID

Dependants aged 18 and above complete the required medical fitness examination. Emirates ID applications and biometrics are completed where applicable, based on the applicant’s age and official requirements.

Receive the Residence Permit

GDRFA Dubai issues the residence permit, linked to each member’s Emirates ID.

How long does it take? GDRFA Dubai lists an expected completion time of 48 hours for the family entry permit. The full family visa Dubai process also depends on attestation, the medical test and Emirates ID, so it is best to prepare documents before applying.

Documents Required for a Family Visa in UAE

From the sponsor

Passport copy, residence visa and Emirates ID
Employment contract or salary certificate (government, semi-government and free zone employees)
Partnership contract and trade licence, for business owners and partners
Registered tenancy contract (Ejari) or title deed

For each family member

Passport copy valid for at least six months
Recent personal photo
Attested marriage certificate, for a spouse
Attested birth certificate, for children
Health insurance valid in the UAE
Medical fitness certificate, for members aged 18 and above
National identity document, where required by the immigration authority

Documents and medical or biometric requirements may vary by age, nationality and application type. Additional documents may be requested depending on the relationship and the sponsor’s profile.

Family Visa UAE Price: Government Fees and Costs

The family visa cost in UAE depends on visa validity, number of dependants, application location and additional services.

Dubai Family Residence Visa Fees (GDRFA):

Entry Permit: AED 200 + 5% VAT
Residence Permit: AED 200 (additional AED 100 per year beyond two years)
Knowledge & Innovation Dirhams: AED 10 each, where applicable
In-Country Application Fee: AED 500, where applicable
Delivery Fee: AED 20

Additional Costs: Medical tests, Emirates ID, health insurance, document attestation, typing fees and applicable deposits.

UAE Family Visit Visa Fees

For eligible single-entry visit visas, GDRFA Dubai lists:

30-Day Visa: AED 200 + 5% VAT
60-Day Visa: AED 300 + 5% VAT
90-Day Visa: AED 400 + 5% VAT
Refundable Security Deposit: AED 1,000
Medical Insurance: AED 40–90, depending on duration
Deposit Handling Fees: AED 20 service fee + AED 40 collection/refund fee, where applicable

Note: These are individual government fee components, not complete visa prices. Additional charges may apply. Request an itemised quote based on your family’s requirements.

Why Choose SAB for Family Visa Services in Dubai

Our PRO services for a family visa in Dubai help you prepare complete applications, understand documentation requirements and coordinate the relevant immigration procedures.

Eligibility check first. We review your salary certificate, contract and tenancy before you pay any fee.
Attestation guidance. We tell you exactly which certificates need attestation and translation.
Application Coordination. We assist with entry permits, status changes, medical appointments, Emirates ID applications and residence permit procedures through the relevant authorities.
Parent and complex cases. We guide you through parent sponsorship, sponsorship by mothers and business-partner sponsorship.
Clear costs. Itemised quotes for the family visa cost in UAE, with government fees and service charges shown separately.
Honest scope. Visas are approved by UAE authorities. We prepare and coordinate your file; we do not promise outcomes.

Support Beyond the Visa

Golden Visa and investor visa applications
Employee visas for your company
Company formation on the mainland or in a free zone
PRO services for licence renewals and government paperwork

Family Visa Renewal in UAE

Family visa renewal in UAE should start before the current residence expires to avoid fines. Family residence validity generally depends on the sponsor’s residence category and cannot extend beyond the applicable sponsorship period. Renewal generally needs:

A valid residence visa for the sponsor
Updated salary or income documents and a valid tenancy contract
Renewed health insurance for each family member
A new medical fitness test for members aged 18 and above
Emirates ID renewal

The renewal fee follows a similar structure to the original residence permit fee.

Family Visa Cancellation

If the sponsoring resident’s visa is cancelled, dependant residence permits may also need to be cancelled or transferred through the relevant immigration authority.

The time allowed to renew, change status or leave the UAE after visa expiry or cancellation depends on the applicable residence category and immigration rules. Check the permitted period with GDRFA Dubai or ICP before making arrangements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Family residence applications are generally processed through the immigration authority responsible for the sponsor's residence. Dubai residents usually apply through GDRFA Dubai, while residents of other emirates normally use ICP.

Your family's residence is linked to yours. If your current residence is cancelled and a new one is issued, your family members' visas need to be moved under your new residence within the allowed time.

Not always, as you can apply through GDRFA's smart services or an Amer centre. PRO services for a family visa in Dubai save time when you have several family members, documents that need attestation, or a parent or business-partner case.

Yes, an in-country status change may be possible if the family member meets the requirements and receives the relevant immigration approval. Additional status-change fees may apply.

Standard family sponsorship generally covers sons up to age 25. Older sons may qualify through an independent residence category or an exceptional arrangement, subject to GDRFA approval.

Stepchild sponsorship may be possible under specific immigration conditions. GDRFA can request custody or guardianship documents, proof of relationship and a no-objection letter from the other parent, where applicable.

What Is a Family Visa in the UAE?

Family Visa UAE Requirements: Who Can Apply?

Family Visa UAE: Benefits and Important Conditions